Tech Toys: Consumer Electronics Show previews what’s to come

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

By Gillian Shaw, Vancouver Sun

A Touch Table personal computer.

VANCOUVER — The annual Consumer Electronics Show offers up a look at what to expect on store shelves in the coming year. From OLED TVs to HD goggles, a look at some of the technology showcased at the Las Vegas show.

Curved OLED TVs, Samsung Electronics and LGNever mind what the picture looks like, just imagine what this new form factor will do for your home decorating. Samsung promises an “immersive panorama effect,” with a view that will make you feel like you’re in the midst of the scenery when you’re watching landscapes and nature scenes on TV. The curve puts the entire screen at an equal distance from the viewer’s eyes, saving that problem of images distorting or dropping off at the edges of the screen. Unlike LCD (liquid crystal display), OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens aren’t backlit and if you thought today’s conventional TVs are thin and light, they are relatively hefty compared to OLED displays, which are super thin. Both Samsung and LG showed off curved OLED TVs at CES this year, although availability and pricing weren’t announced.

Touch Table PC, Moneual

Some of the things that are introduced at CES we’ve already seen in the movies. Remember Tony Stark — aka Ironman — flashing his hands over a screen top instead of sitting down to plunk away at a computer like the rest of us. In this particular version showcased at CES, the touch table PC is meant for restaurants and cafes so people can check out menus, order and pay — all on the touch table. So far they’re thinking service or institutional use but I’d say this would be a handier for the kitchen than an Internet-connected fridge (which hasn’t really taken off in a big way in spite of being a darling of the CES some time back and with the latest on display this year). www.moneual.com

Sony smartphone-connected receiver for your carIt takes apps from your smartphone and displays them on a seven-inch touchscreen display in your car — giving you a connection to everything from your music service to handsfree calls, videos (don’t do this while driving) and other smartphone apps. www.sony.com

Apex HD+ snow goggle, Liquid Image Co., $400

Here’s one that snow sports types will want to try out: The Apex HD snow goggles with full HD recording, built-in WiFi and a rotating camera lens. You can livestream to an Apple iOS device - like your iPhone or iPad or to your Android phone or tablet. Everyone on the ski slopes seems to have a GoPro camera — will HD goggles be the next must-have accessory on the slopes? www.liquidimageco.comgshaw@vancouversun.com" TARGET="_blank">www.liquidimageco.com